from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Penal \Pe"nal\, a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F.
p['e]nal. See {Pain}.]
Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes
and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as:
(a) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue;
the penal code.
(b) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penal
act or offense.
(c) Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment;
as, a penal colony or settlement. "Adamantine chains and
penal fire." --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
{Penal code} (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and
offenses and their punishment.
{Penal laws}, {Penal statutes} (Law), laws prohibiting
certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.
{Penal servitude}, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison,
in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.]
{Penal suit}, {Penal action} (Law), a suit for penalties.
[1913 Webster]